Life, 1909-07-22 · page 21 of 28
Life — July 22, 1909 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from Life magazine's 1910 era. The page promotes the Hudson "Twenty" automobile, priced at $900, positioning it as an affordable luxury car that combines quality engineering with low cost. The advertisement argues the Hudson offers "class" that competitors lack, emphasizing its spaciousness (100-inch wheelbase), power (50 mph capability), and refined mechanical features (long-stroke motor, elliptic springs, sliding gear transmission) typically found in expensive vehicles. The sales pitch targets middle-class buyers by stressing that a woman or small man can operate it comfortably—a notable selling point for 1910, when automobiles were still relatively new. The "Triangle on the Radiator" is the Hudson brand identifier. This reflects the early automotive era when manufacturers competed on engineering specifications and value proposition rather than styling or brand lifestyle messaging.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Equipment:—Two large headlights, generator, two side oil lamps, tail lamps, full set tools and horn—$900. With Bosch magneto, top, Prest-O-Lite tank, double rumble seat—$1050. “Look for the Triangle on the Radiator.” Strong—Speedy—Roomy-—Stylish There have been many low priced cars, but never one so big, strong, speedy and good looking as this one. In this car you find that something called class—that something which other cars at or near this price have lacked. The officers of the Hudson “Twenty” have been the first to appreciate that it is as easy to make a good looking car and sell it for less than $1,000 as it is to make the other kind. Most low priced cars have been too small. 32 inch wheels. It is as roomy as any roadster made, regardless of price. passenger, the foot pedals are adjustable. In the Hudson “Twenty” you get a big car with a 100 inch wheel base, and To insure absolute comfort to the driver and A woman can drive it with as much comfort as a 6 foot man. Some High Grade Features of this 1910 Model Long Stroke Motor With a bore of 33" and a stroke of 44° it conforms to the most up-to-date foreign de- sign, a long stroke motor. The front axle is a one piece drop forged I-beam section of the best grade of open hearth steel carefully heat treated. Three-quarter Elliptic Springs The judgment of the best designers in the world is back of the suspension of the Hudson “Twenty.”? Semi-elliptic in front, and three- quarter elliptic rear springs are the easiest riding under all conditions, faster and due to their peculiar actions, are the least liable to fracture. This is the spring suspension found on the Hudson ‘‘Twenty.’’ Springs are un- usually long, and mounted with heavier and stronger fittings than on many cars twice the weight. Hudson Motor Car Company; Carbureter Specially Designed The carbureter has been especially designed for the motor, insuring absolute control at all speeds. The fan, as in the best high-priced cars is belt driven; and so on throughout the entire car—judged by every mechanical and engin- eering standard, the Hudson ‘‘Twenty’’ is thoroughly up-to-date without embodying any experimental features, 50 Miles an Hour Any Hudson ‘‘Twenty”’ will do fifty miles an hour. It has all the power you could ever have use for. It not only looks like the most expensive cars, but it acts like them too. It is strong, speedy, roomy and stylish. Please write today for complete specifica- tions. The Hudson ‘‘Twenty’’ is the only four cylinder licensed car selling for less than $1,000. It is the first ideal car at the price. (Members A. L. A. M.) Detroit, Sliding Gear Transmission It has a sliding gear transmission, selective type, three speeds forward and reverse, such as you find on the Packard, Peerless, and other high grade cars. Its motor is the Renault type, ‘patterned after the famous French motors of thatname. Hudson Motor Car Company on Detroit, Mich. Please send me catalog and name of nearest dealer. City . Michigan comicbooks.com